For the uninitiated, Sardar Patel was one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India who along with Mahatma Gandhi led the Satyagraha movement. He led many marches against the British and played a key role in the freedom struggle of the country. A truly great social leader, his work was characterized by excellence. He has made his spot in the history of our nation and in our hearts for eternity.
Today, on his birth anniversary, let’s get to know just how badass he was.
1. Commonly called Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a lawyer by profession and was lovingly given the title of Sardar, meaning leader or chief.
5. Sardar Patel went to England to further study law after having put his elder brother through a university in England as well. He aced the Barrister-at-Law examination there.
6. He came back to India and started his practice in Ahmedabad. He was offered a job for the British government on multiple occasions, but turned them all down.
9. During Congress elections in 1946, thirteen out of sixteen states chose Sardar Patel as their president, who was the more popular candidate and would have eventually become the first Prime Minister of independent India.
But upon Gandhi’s request, he stepped down as a candidate and endorsed Jawaharlal Nehru instead.